Dodging deer tips vehicle

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A Mammoth Lakes man rolled his 2011 Volkswagen Saturday afternoon on Highway 395 at the top of the Walker River Canyon.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Stephen Dempsey was southbound on the snowy highway when he saw a deer on the right shoulder in the reverse curves.

He took evasive action, and the vehicle hit the soft dirt shoulder and rolled over onto its passenger’s side. Dempsey and his dog, Legend were uninjured in the 3:30 p.m. crash. After taking a report, Dempsey and his dog were taken home.

It was clear when the accident occurred but the area had received snow earlier in the day.

There are times when a driver is better off taking a chance of striking wildlife rather than taking evasive action, Bridgeport Area CHP Commander Lt. R.D. Cohan said, especially when it’s icy out.

According to the National Weather Service, Mono County bore the brunt of the storm with 9.7 inches of snow falling northwest of Lee Vining, and 4.5 inches falling in Bridgeport.